"Goin' to Chicago"



The most notable thing here in the final episode of Season Two is the complete transformation of Potsie from Haskellesque schemer to naïve fool.  It is Ralph who thinks they should sneak out of the hotel where they're staying in Chicago for a TV appearance with their choir group, while Potsie is more hesitant.  This revised characterization of Potsie is one that would become very familiar in later seasons, but I was startled to see it this early.  That said, aspiring comic Ralph does laugh at all the corny jokes in the nightclub, which is very him.

We never find out how the TV show goes, or for that matter if Richie brings Fonzie back grease from the garage of the St. Valentine's Day Massacre.  Marsha is referred to but not seen, as Ralph has a WWMD moment.  I don't know if I've noted it before, but the Jefferson High set is very recognizable from The Brady Bunch.  I don't think it was used for the live seasons, but we'll see.

As for this season, it ranges from C to B, mostly B-s, and that is the average.  I have to say I'm not wowed by these early seasons, but on the other hand, I do like them and I still think they have a certain quality that the later series lacked.  On the third hand, there's a lot to be said for and about Season Three, and I'll start saying it shortly....

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